"After a record 44-game regular season, it's finally time for the 2025 WNBA playoffs. Starting with a four-game slate Sunday, eight teams will vie for the title. The field includes the defending champion New York Liberty, the current No. 1 seed Minnesota Lynx and the red-hot Las Vegas Aces, who are riding a 16-game winning streak. New York beat Minnesota in a five-game WNBA Finals last year, but the championship series has expanded to best-of-seven this season."
"The first-round format also has changed to 1-1-1, allowing every team in the playoffs to get at least one home game. That means the Indiana Fever, who ended a seven-year playoff drought last year, will host their first playoff game since 2016 next week. Fever sensation Caitlin Clark, sidelined by injury since July 15, is out for the playoffs, but Indiana has shown the resilience to still be a dangerous foe."
"We break down all eight teams in the playoff field, from their best assets to their biggest flaws. (Note: BPI reflects data through Wednesday's games.) First-round opponent: Golden State Valkyries (89.1% chance of advancing) Title chances (per ESPN's BPI): 49.7% What's on the line: After losing in the 2024 WNBA Finals, Minnesota (34-10) has been atop the league standings all season and looks to win its fifth championship in franchise history and first since 2017."
The 2025 WNBA playoffs begin after a 44-game regular season with eight teams competing and an opening four-game slate Sunday. The finals moved to a best-of-seven format and the first round adopted a 1-1-1 structure so every team receives at least one home game. New York enters as defending champion, Minnesota finished as the No. 1 seed and Las Vegas arrives on a 16-game winning streak. Minnesota seeks redemption after losing the 2024 Finals and carries strong title probability, while Indiana will host its first playoff game since 2016 despite Caitlin Clark being sidelined by injury.
Read at ESPN.com
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